Cumulative indexing mechanism



Dec. 5, 1950 HALE 2,532,9fi6

CUMULATIVE INDEXING MECHANISM Filed May 7, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 22 INVENTOR.

G. A. H A L E Q. mm

Dec. 5, 1950 G. A. HALE 295329905 CUMULATIVE INDEXING MECHANISM Filed May 7, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. (5. A. I| AL E Dec. 5, 1950 e. A. HALE 2,532,906

CUMULATIVE INDEXING MECHANISM Filed May 7, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet s 58 53 mmvrozz.

(5. A. H A L E 7 BY I Patented Dec. 5, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CUMULATIVE INDEXING. MECHANISM Gerald A, Hale, Oklahoma City, Okla.

Application May 7:, 1949, Serial No. 91,977

10 Claims. 1

This invention relates to an automatic parking meter for indicating parking time, and more particularly but not by way of limitation, to. an automatic parking meter which is operable on more than one denomination of coins, and which will operate by multiple coins of each of a selected denomination, and which will cumulate the time by a subsequent insertion of a coin during an operation of the meter already indicating time. This application is a continuation-impart of applicants co-pending application, Serial No. 619,477, filed October 1 1945, and entitled Automatic Parkin Meter.-

In applicants co-pending application above referred to, the resetting method for the time indicator was non-cumulative. Throughout this specification and claims, the expressions cumulative or accumulating are sy'nonomous, In applicants prior structure, in each instance where a coin was inserted for operation. of the meter, the time indicating pointer would be set to one of the predetermined points on the dial regardless of where the indicator point was located relative to the dial at the time the coin was inserted. For example, assuming that the. parking meter as shown in applicants co-pending. application was operating, and the indicator point disclosed that 55 minutes of time remained, with the insertion of a nickel the pointer would move up to the adjacent nickel stop, or one-hour period, and asv a consequence only minutes added or obtained for the additional nickel. In the present invention, the indicator resetting mechanism been constructed so that upon insertion of a cointhe indicator will be reset to accumulate the full time according to the denomination of the coin, irrespective of the position of the time indicator. In the above example, where 55 minutes remained on a meter, and a nickel was then added, the indicator pointer in the present apparatus in resetting would be moved to full 60 minutes to provide a final setting of one hour and 55 minutes, or cumulating. the parking time.

The present invention broadly provides a coinactuated parking meter which operates upon insertion of a selected coin to release a coin-actuated lever to cause rotation of the coin by a coin rotator with a simultaneous. movement of the coin=actllated lever for releasing a time indicating means moving relative to a time scale from. connection with a power-driven clock works, whereupon said released time indicator is released to move under the energy of a spring: to a point regulated by a predetermined stop mechanism aatuatedwith the coin lever. The timev indicator cooperates with a rotary disc having teeth adapted to come into contact with the stop mechanism for setting the indicator in a predetermined position depending upon the denomination of the coin. The rotary disc is movable with the indicator upon. each insertion of a coin to accumulate the time in accordance with the denomination of the coin, regardless. of the starting position of the indicator.

It is. an important object of this invention to provide. a. parking meter which is operable on more than one denomination of coins, as well as multiple coins of each of the denominations.

A further object of this invention is to provide an. automatic parking meter which may be adjusted for operation with various combinations oi coi or a multiple of coins, and preferably in a. combination of five pennies, and one nickel, or ten pennies and two. nickels.

A further object of this invention is to provide an automatic parking meter which has a powerdriven element, released through the insertion of a. coin into the meter mechanism operating to reset. a. time indicator in complement to the value of the coin, and which will reset the time indicator relative to a time scale for the full value of the coin irrespective of the previous location of the indicator pointer at the time the coin was inserted.

Another object of this invention is to provide an automatic parking meter wherein the mechanism for resetting the time indicator is released to operate, and will accumulate the time in accordance with the denomination of the coin irrespective of the startin position of the indicator.

And still another object of this invention is to provide an automatic parking meter which provides. for immediate resetting of a time indicator upon successive insertions of multiple coins of like, or different, denominations and will cumulate the amount of time in accordance with the denomination, and number of coins inserted.

And still another object of this invention is to provide an automatic parking meter having a time indicating resetting mechanism for moving the time indicator from one position to another relative to the time scale, and which will cumulate the time upon each resetting of the time indicator irrespective of the starting position of the indicator.

And a further object of this invention is to provide a. selective coin automatic parking meter adapted for cumulating time in the time indicating mechanism in accordance with the denomination of coin utilized, and wherein the meter is automatic and more durable in its operation, simple in construction, and facilitates the maintenance and any adjustment thereof.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be evident from the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate my invention.

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic elevational View showing a position of the indicator pointer prior to a resetting operation.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 1, showing the indicator pointer in reset position.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic detail view of the in dicator reset mechanism, showing the stop mecha nism and the cumulative indexin therefor.

Fig. 4 is a detail View similar to Fig. 3, showing another operation of the reset mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a detail view showing the coin-actuated lever and indexing cam of the reset mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing an intermediate position of the reset mechanism.

Fig. '7 is a similar view, showing still another position of the reset mechanism.

Fig. 8 is a detail view of the mounting of the stud for the pivoted pawl.

Referring to the drawings in detail and parpending application have been omitted in this application for the purpose of clarity. For example, the coin trip lever, the coin rotator, the

variable cam surfaces operating with the coin rotator, as well as the various drive connections and shafts in the framework of the co-pending application have been omitted to avoid duplication thereof.

As fully set forth in applicants co-pending application, the parking meter mechanism is preferably encased between a pair of spaced plates forming the outer framework of the mechanism. In the present invention, reference character 2 indicates one of the spaced frame plates and the elements for operating the indicator reset mechanism of the meter are shown diagrammatically thereof, and include a time pointer or indicator 4 adapted to be moved relative to a graduated scale 6 for visually indicating measured time. A power spring 8 is provided with a gearlil connecting with suitable gears l2, l3 and I4, and any suitable escapement mechanism ll, as will hereinafter be set forth. The indicator 4 is part of a circular segment gear l6 rigidly fixed to a shaft I"! and rotatable therewith. Loosely mounted on the shaft if is an idler lever l 3 having an angled leg portion IS. A rotatable idler gear 25 is secured to the lever I8 by a stud 2!. The end of the leg is is connected with a spring 22 in turn anchored to'the frame 2 for purposes as will be hereinafter set forth. A reset lever 25 is loosely mounted on a shaft 25. The reset lever 25 is adapted to be moved in a counterclockwise direction according to Fig. 1, upon the insertion of a coin in the manner described in my co-pending application above mentioned.

The reset lever 25 is preferably provided with three positions, a position of rest as shown at A (Figs. 1 and 3), a position B (Figs. 2 and 6) caused by the insertion of a penny into the meter, and a position C (Fig. 7) caused by the insertion of a nickel into the meter in the same manner as disclosed in my co-pending application. The reset lever is connected with a spring 2i in turn anchored to the frame 2 at 23 to cause a return movement of the reset lever 25 to position A after each movement thereof due to the insertion of a coin.

Referring'to Figs. 3, l and 5, an indexing stop pawl mechanism to is pivotally disposed on a shaft 3| as is clearly shown in Figs. 3, 6 and 7.

The stop pawl mechanism comprises a bell crank lever 32 having a leg 33 wherein the outer end of lever 30 is provided with a detent or pawl 35, while the opposite end of leg 33 is provided with an outwardly extending pin 35. As is clearly shown in Fig. 3, the stop mechanism its is disposed on the shaft 3| in a manner to cooperate with the cam surfaces of the actuating lever 25, as will be hereinafter set forth.

It will be noted in Fig. 3 that the shaft l7 carries a loosely mounted ratchet disc 3! disposed immediamly adjacent one face of the sector gear iii. The disc 52 is provided with a pair of teeth 38 and 39. The tooth 38 is of smaller size than the tooth 39, as noted, and for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth. The ratchet disc 37 is provided with an outwardly extending flange portion Q3 having a pawl il pivotally mounted thereon through stud 42. The pawl Q! is urged in a counterclockwise direction according to Fig. 3 by a leaf spring 43 anchored on the flange portion 39. It will be noted that the pawl i! is disposed immediately adjacent the peripherally disposed teeth 45 provided on the indicator sector It. A disc-retracting spring 46 connects with one end of the flange 49 and is anchored at its opposite end to the frame 2 in any suitable manner (not shown). The actuating lever 25 is provided with an enlarged flange portion 5U having a cam surface 5! a cam recess 52, cam surface 53, and cam recesses 5t and 55. A cam surface 56 is interposed between the recesses 54 and 55. Furthermore, the rear cam surface 53 is provided with an outstanding flange portion 5? (not shown in Figs. 1 and 2) having a stud pin 58 for pivotally securing a leaf cam Bill. The leaf cam 6i} is preferably described as of a fmorning glory configuration, as clearly shown in Fig. 5. The leaf cam 6i! comprises a leg portion 5! having an enlarged flange portion 62 pro- Vided with a slot 63. The slot 63 is adapted to surround the shaft I? and allow movement of the cam Gil relative thereto, as will be hereinafter set forth. The top face 5 of the cam flange 52 is curved and is preferably disposed in one position along a portion of the periphery of the substantially circular indicator sector i as is shown in Figs. 3 and l. The top face 64 of the cam 60 in one position will contact the pawl 4! to prevent engagement of the pawl (Fig. 3) with the teeth 45 for a purpose as will be hereinafter described.

Alluding further to the power drive for the reset mechanism such as shown in Figs. 1 and '2, the timer H is connected with the idler gear 29 through clock gears 65 and Si. Furthermore, the idler lever leg is is provided with a pin 68 cooperating with the cam recess 52 of the actuating lever 25 for a purpose as will be hereinafter described.

S- peratz'on.

As previously explained, the actuating lever 25 is adapted to be, moved counterclockwise upon the insertion of a coinv in, he m e he n clockwise movement is efi ected; through a suitable coin rotator, not shown, such as disclosed in applicants. co-pending application above referred to. The length of movement of the actuating, lever 2E, and particularly it movement to a position, B or C, is dependent upon the denomination of the coin, whether it be a penny or a nickel, Fig. 6 shows movement of the lever 25 to a position B tor a penny insertion, while Fig. '7 shows movement to. a. position C for a nickel insertion. It will be, apparent that with the actuating lever 25, in, a rest position A, shown in Figs. 1 and 3., the idler pin 58 is disposed in the cam recess 52. thereby providing engagement of the idler gear 2!! with the. clock gear 6;! (Fig. l), and a. simultaneou engagement. of the gear with the sector teeth 45 to cause movement of the indicator 4 in one direction through the medium of the power spring 8 and its connecting gear train. With the idler gear 20' engaged, the indicator l is, driven in a direction relative to the time scale 5 toward; the zero. position on the time scale. Upon the insertion of a coin the actuating lever moves counterclockwise to move the idler pin 68 out of the cam recess. 52 and on to. the

cam surface 5|, thereby causing the idler lever IE to pivot about shaft I! and disengage the idler gear 2.!) from the clock gear 61 (Fig. 2). In this position of, disengagement, the sector gear l6 and pointer 4- are released to rotate about the shaft H in a clockwise direction under the energy of the sprin 70. The spring 50 is anchored at one end H to the sector 16, and at the other end 12 to the time scale 6,.

The amount of rotation of the sector gear is dependent upon the denomination of the coin inserted which in turn, regulates the position of the indexing stop pawl 34 adapted to engage the teeth oi the ratchet disc 3?, as, will be herein: after explained.

It will be, apparent that the indexing stop mechanism is normally held free of the teeth of e d 3 by a sp ing 14. anchored at ne end to the pawl 34,, and at its opp site end to th frame, not. shown, Fig. 3. A second spring 15 is anchored at one end... to a lug [5 provided on the lever mechanism 30, and at its opposite end to the frame (not shown). The spring 15 urges lever 30 in a counterclockwise direction according to Fig. 3. The position of the indicating stop mechanism 39, and particularly the pawl 34, is dependent upon the movement of the actuating lever 2-5, and particularly the location of the pin relative to the various cam surfaces provided on the lever 25.

In a rest position A of the lever 25, the pin 3,5 is normally disposed on the cam surface 53, and with the assistance of the spring l4 maintains the pawl 34 out of contact with the teeth of the ratchet disc 3?. Furthermore, the curved face 65 of the leaf cam 6!) is in contact with the pawl 4| to prevent engagement of the pawl 4! with the indicator sector teeth 45, thereby providing the movement of the indicator t in one direction by g the power-drive mechanism, heretofore explained.

As the lever 25 is moved counterclockwise (Figs. 2, (i and 7) around the shaft 26 by the insertion of a coin (not shown), the cam 59 i moved downward to place the curved surface 64 out of contact with the pawl l, thereby engaging the pawl 41 with the teeth 45 due to energy of the leaf spring 43 Simultaneously, the idler lever t8 and gear 20 are disengaged from the clock gear $1, thereby releasing the indicator sector [26 rem power drive 8; and providing for clockwise rotation of the sector t6 under the influence of the spring m, with a. simultaneous. rotation of the ratchet disc 37!. due to the engagement of the pawl 41. Coimterclockw-ise movement of the lever 25 (Fig. 6.) will move the pin 35, away from the cam surface 53 and into the cam surface 54, thereby causing pivoting of the lever 38 and pawl 3-4 about the shaft 3:] in a counterclockwise direction, urged by spring l5, and into the path of the teeth on the rotating ratchet disc 31.

The tooth 381 is disposed: on the disc 31 to provide setting of the indicator 13 relative to scale 5. for 12 minutes of time with a penny insertion, while the larger tooth 33' denotes one hours time with a nickel insertion. When a penny is insortedin the meter (not shown), causing actuation of the lever 25 to a position B, Fig. 6, the pawl is. moved into contact with the tooth 34, thereby stopping the released pointer d at a point relative to the scale 5 to denote 12 minutes of time. Continued rotation of the inserted coin in the manner described in the copending application above referred to, will move the coin out of contact with the lever 2.5, thereby releasing it so it be returned or moved: in a clockwise direction by action of the spring El to. rest position against stop. l8. Return movement of the lever 25. will move the leaf cam downward thereby disengaging the pawl from the indicator sector teeth 45 to provide for counterclockwise rotation of the ratchet disc 3? under the energy of the spring 56 to a rest position against stop 18. Simultaneously, the pin 58 is again disposed in the cam recess 52, causing movement of lever 18 about shaft. H and engagement of idler gear 2&1 with clock gears E i and it! for connecting the indicator sector with the power mechanism 8. It will be apparent that the pin in the return position of the lever 25 is again disposed on the surface 53, thereby moving the indexin pawl 34 out of contact with thetooth 38, by the spring M.

With a nickel insertion, the actuating lever 25 is likewise moved counterclockwise (Fig. 7) to the position C, thereby disengaging the idler gear 20 for releasin the indicator 5 to move clockwise underenergy of spring Iii with a simultaneous engagement of he pawl ll with the teeth to cause rotation of the ratchet disc 3?. With the lever 25' moved to position C, the pin 35 will have been moved from cam surface through cam recess 54 into contact with cam surface 5!.) for final disposition in cam recess 55, thereby moving the pawl 3d into contact with the large tooth 3S stopping the indicator d to denote one hours time relative to the scale 6'.

It will be apparent that during movement of lever 25 to position 0, the pin 35 will momentarily rest in cam recess 5Q causing an engagement of the tooth 38 with the pawl 34. The spring 10 is sufiiciently stronger than the spring 35, whereupon the tooth 38 moves the pawl 34 slightly and such movement is permitted because the pawl pivot shaft 3| is disposed in an elongated lostmotion slot provided in the frame 2, as clearly shown in detail in Fig. 8. In the above movement, the shaft 3! is moved slightly to the bottom or lower portion of the slot so. As the lever 25 continues its movement, the pin 35 rides, to the top of the cam surface 56 causing the pawl 34 to be moved out of contact with the tooth 3.8, whereupon the spring i5 urges or jumps the pawl 34 immediately ahead of the tip of the tooth 38, and this operation is permitted by the lost-motion slot 80. It will be apparent that this action is similar to. the jump action previously described in applicants co-pending application above referred to for successive insertions of coins. Movement of the lever to position C places the pin in cam recess 55 to bring the pawl 34 into the path of the rotating tooth 39 to cause an engagement thereof and set the pointer 4 for a full 60 minutes of cumulative time.

As soon as the lever 25 is returned to rest position A, the idler gear 25 engages the clock gear 67 connected with the power drive 8 for driving the pointer 4 in a direction toward the zero mark on the time scale 6; simultaneously, the top surface ,64 of leaf cam 60 moves the pawl 4| out of engagement with the teeth 45 causing the ratchet disc 31 to be returned by the spring 46 so that it may complete another cycle upon the insertion of another coin. It will thus be seen that the ratchet disc 31, in looking position with the indicator gear I5, is allowed to rotate against the energy of spring 45 a fixed number of degrees for a penny, and a larger number of degrees for a nickel for setting the indicator pointer 4 accordingly. The unlocking of the disc 3i from the gear teeth 45 by the leaf cam 60 will return the disc to rest position by energy of spring 46, thereby assuring that rotation for the fixed number of degrees, depending upon the denomination of the coin, will always function and thereby cumulate.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present invention provides an indicator resetting mechanism which is substantially modified from the indicator reset mechanism ,of applicants co-pending application referred to, particularly in providing for a cumulative indexing of the time. In the co-pending application referred to, there is provided a plurality of teeth for multiple sets of teeth on the ratchet disc rotatable with the sector gear; however, the present ratchet disc is provided with only two teeth, and is automatically rotated to rest position after each insertion of a coin so that there will be an assurance that the time will be accumulated on the time scale irrespective of the starting position of the time indicator. The leaf cam provides antomatic clutching and declutching of the ratchet disc with the indicator sector teeth to assure operation of the ratchet disc and the cumulative indexing of time.

It will be apparent that the cumulative indexing feature may be omitted, thereby making the reset mechanism non-cumulative. In such noncumulative operation, it is only necessary to remove the leaf cam 50 from the unit so that the pawl 4| is constantly engaged with the teeth 45, thereby locking the disc 31 with the indicator sector l6 regardless of the action of the spring 46.

Changes may bemade in the combination and arrangement of parts as heretofore set forth in the specification and shown in the drawings, it

being understood that any modification in the precise embodiment of the invention may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a cumulative time re-set mechanism for automatic power-driven parking meters comprising an indicator releasable to move in one direction relative to a time scale, a ratchet disc having a plurality 'of teeth thereon, locking means provided for the engagement of the ratchet disc with the indicator for a simultaneous movement thereof in the said direction, stop pawl means movable into the path of the movable ratchet disc for limiting the movement of the indicator in the said direction, means for disengaging the locking means from the indicator, and means for moving the ratchet disc in an opposite direction from that of the first mentioned direction independently of the indicator.

2. In a cumulative re-set mechanism for automatic power-driven parking meters comprising a time indicator releasable to move in one direction relative to a time scale, a ratchet disc having a plurality of teeth thereon, locking means provided for the engagement of the ratchet disc with the indicator for a simultaneous movement thereof in the said direction, stop pawl means movable into the path of the teeth of the movable ratchet disc for limiting the movement of the indicator in the said direction, means for disengaging the locking means from the indicator, means for moving the ratchet disc in an opposite direction from that of the first mentioned direction independently of the indicator, and means to engage the indicator after the setting thereof with the power means for driving it in an opposite direction from that of the first mentioned direction.

3. In an automatic parking meter for receiving multiple coins of different denominations to indicate selective amounts of time on a time scale, and comprising an indicator movable relative to the scale, a clock works for driving the indicator in one direction relative to the scale, a re-set mechanism comprising a coin-actuated lever movable upon the insertion of a coin for releasing the indicator from the clock works, spring means for moving the indicator upon release in an opposite direction from the first mentioned direction, a ratchet disc having a pair of teeth provided thereon, a spring-urged pawl provided on the ratchet disc for clutching and declutching with the indicator, a leaf cam movable with the coin-actuated lever to provide clutching of the disc pawl with the indicator for moving the disc simultaneously with the indicator in the last mentioned direction, stop pawl means cooperating with the coin-actuated lever and movable into the path of one of the teeth of the disc for limiting the movement of the indicator in the last mentioned direction, and means for retracting the movement of the coin-actuated lever after the setting of the indicator and re-engaging the indicator with the clock works, said leaf cam declutching the disc from the indicator upon re tracting movement of the coin-actuated lever, and spring means for retracting the movement of the ratchet disc-after declutching from the indicator.

4. In a re-set mechanism for automatic powerdriven parking meters comprising an indicator alternately movable in opposite directions relative to a time scale, a coin-actuated lever movable in response to a coin insertion for releasing the indicator for movement in one direction for resetting relative to the time scale, means for moving the indicator in said direction, a cumulative time indexing mechanism comprising a rotatable disc having a pair of teeth thereon, locking means on the disc for alternately engaging and disengaging the disc with the indicator, and means responsive to movement of the coin lever to alternately clutch and declutch the locking means, stop pawl means movable into the path of one of the teeth in the rotatable disc when engaged with the indicator for limiting the movement of the indicator in the said direction, and means for moving the rotatable disc in an opposite direction from the first mentioned direction after contact with the stop pawl means.

5. In a cumulative re-set mechanism for coin actuated power-driven parking meters comprising a time indicator releasable upon insertion of a coin to move in one direction relative to a time scale, a rotatable disc disposed adjacent the indicator and having a plurality of teeth thereon, a spring-urged pawl on the disc, cam means preventing engagement of the pawl with the indicator prior to the insertion of the coin for releas ing the indicator, said cam means movable upon release of the indicator to provide for engagement of the pawl means with the indicator for simultaneous movement thereof in the said direction, stop pawl means movable into the path of the rotatable disc and contacting one of the teeth thereon for limiting the movement of the indicator in the said direction, means for engaging the indicator with the power means, said cam means movable upon engagement of the indicator with the power means for disengaging the disc pawl therefrom, and means for rotating the disc in an opposite direction from the first mentioned direction independently of the indicator.

6. In a re-set mechanism for parking meters comprising an indicator alternately movable in n opposite directions relative to a time scale, a coinactuated lever movable in response to a coin insertion for releasing the indicator to re-set in one direction relative to the time scale, means for moving the indicator in said direction, a time indexing mechanism comprising a rotatable disc having a pair of teeth thereon, means for moving the disc with the indicator to accumulate the time during the re-setting operation, and stop pawl means for moving into the path of one of A the teeth on the rotatable disc for limiting the movement of the indicator in the said direction, means for declutching the disc from the indicator, and means for moving the rotatable disc in an opposite direction after the declutching operation.

'7. In a re-set mechanism for parking meters comprising an indicator alternately movable in opposite directions relative to a time scale, coinactuated means for releasing the indicator to re-set in one direction relative to the time scale, spring means for moving the indicator in said direction, a time indexing mechanism comprising a rotatable disc having a pair of teeth thereon, a springurged pawl for locking the disc with the indicator to cause movement therewith for accumulating time during the re-setting operation, stop pawl means for moving into the path of one of the teeth on the rotatable disc for limiting the movement of the indicator in the said direction, a leaf cam for declutching the disc from the indicator, and means for retracting the movement of the disc after the declutching operation.

8. In a re-set mechanism for parking meters comprising an indicator alternately movable in opposite directions relative to a time scale, a coin-actuated lever movable in response to insertion of a coin for releasing the indicator to re-set in one direction relative to the time scale, means connected with the indicator for moving it in said direction, a time indexing mechanism comprising a rotatable disc having a plurality of teeth thereon, a spring-urged pawl for locking the teeth with the indicator to cause movement therewith for accumulating time during the re-setting operation, stop pawl means for moving into the path of one of the teeth on the rotatable disc for limiting the movement of the opposite directions relative to a time scale, coinactuated means for releasing the indicator to re-set in one direction relative to the time scale, spring means for moving the indicator in said direction, a time indexing mechanism comprising a rotatable ratchet disc, a spring-urged pawl for locking the disc with the indicator to cause movement therewith to accumulate time during the re-setting operation, stop pawl means for moving into the path of the ratchet disc for limiting the movement of the indicator in said direction, a leaf cam cooperating with the coinactuated means for declutching the disc from the indicator, and means for retracting the disc after the declutching operation.

10. In a re-set mechanism for parking meters adapted to receive multiple coins of difierent denominations for indicating selective amounts of time, and comprising an indicator alternately movable in opposite directions relative to a time scale, coin-actuated means for releasing the indicator to re-set in one direction relative to the time scale, spring means for moving the indicator in said direction, a time indexing mechanism comprising a rotatable disc having a plurality of variable sized teeth thereon corresponding to coins of different denominations, a spring-urged pawl for locking the disc with the indicator to cause movement thereof for accumulating time during the re-setting operation, stop means cooperating with the coin-actuated means for moving into the path of one of the teeth on the rotatable disc for limiting the movement of the indicator in the said direction in accordance with the denomination of the coin inserted, a leaf cam carried by the coin-actuating means for declutching the disc from the indicator, and means for retracting the disc after the declutching operation for a repeat operation of the disc upon successive insertions of coins.

GERALD A. HALE.

No references cited. 

